Delay in back pay owed to teachers

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - West Warwick teachers who were waiting for their June paychecks were forced to wait one more day.

Last week, town officials said they'd pay the teachers the $1.8 million owed in accrued wages by Monday. But, just 320 teachers received money. And those who received an electronic payment only got half the money they were owed.

The teachers were scheduled to receive 10 weeks of earned wages in a lump sum on June 25, but were missing a month’s worth of salary. It prompted a union grievance and complaints from teachers to the state Department of Labor and Training.

West Warwick Teacher Alliance President Donald Vanasse said Monday's error was due to a glitch in communication with the school administration last week. Everyone is scheduled to have all of their wages by Tuesday.

The West Warwick School Department is currently coping with a $3.3-million deficit for the fiscal year that ended June 30